The Aldrich's: December 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

A year ago, today...

This time last year I was about to walk down the aisle and officially and FINALLY become Mrs. Austin Aldrich. My wedding day was the most special day of my life. I had so many wonderful people around me who loved and cherished the day as much as I did. I was finally getting my dream, Christmas wedding and it was everything I had envisioned, and more, and to top it all off - the husband I had always dreamed about! As I think about how much has happened in a year - it blows my mind! We loved our duplex in Dallas, but we needed something more practical and closer to our jobs and families. We bought our first home in July and I couldn't have been blessed with a better one. We love it here, and are back close to our friends and family. I went through my wedding pictures and picked out the ones that captured my wedding day so perfectly. I have been so fortunate and blessed in this last year. I have the most amazing husband anyone could ask for. The day I became Mrs. Austin Aldrich changed my life forever. I look back on that day with such nostalgia and fondness. I could relive it over and over and over, and never get tired of it. I leave you with some pictures that captured the love that we/I felt on that day. It's crazy that it has already been a year, but if every year is as wonderful as this...I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us. I love you, Babe. Happy Anniversary!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

"Mrs. Aldrich, why are you a princess today?"

There are two events in my life, up until today, that have profoundly changed my life and made me feel completely 100% changed. The first, when I accepted Christ at the age of 8. The second, the day I became Mrs. Aldrich, and the third happened today....I received one of the greatest honors and privileges that a teacher can receive. I was nominated as Teacher of the Year for my campus. I was completed shocked and dumbfounded the second I found out. Me? Why me? I work in a school FULL of AMAZING teachers. I thought for a split second, "Maybe she miscounted." Whatever the reason, I went home, showered, changed, met my principal back at school and headed off to a "Surprise" Teacher of the Year luncheon. As I walked in the door, my Superintendent greeted me and pointed to the sign that said, "Welcome WYLIE ISD Teacher of the Year." Was this seriously happening? As I walked down the line of school board members, shaking their hands, the last one I came to was holding flowers. I looked up, and there was my hubby smiling at me, holding a bouquet of flowers. He had known for three weeks! He can really keep a secret. What an awesome luncheon it was. We headed back to Groves and as if the luncheon wasn't enough, I was greeted at the door with a cape, tiara and wand and the entire school was there clapping for me as I walked down the hallway - so surreal. As I walk all the way down the hallway and back, I turn the corner and the entire Kindergarten is chanting my name, my class runs up and gives me huge hugs, nearly knocking me over - so worth it. Then, one of my kiddos looks at me and says, "Mrs. Aldrich, how come you're a princess today?" I have to admit...it did feel like royalty. ;0)

My Principal, introducing me at the luncheon....we were both teary-eyed.